An invisible finger, no doubt that of her guardian angel, was placed upon her mouth, as if to unseal her lips and relieve her from her vow.

Henceforth she could freely unburden herself and tell the truth.

All that which was powerful and tender in her surroundings now whispered to her words which seemed to come from the infinite unknown.
Then, at last, Angelique spoke.
"Ah! yes, I recollect--I recollect it all." And Felicien was at once carried away with delight by the music of this voice, whose extreme charm was so great over him that his love seemed to increase simply from listening to it.
"Yes, I remember well when you came in the night.

You were so far away those first evenings that the little sound you made in walking left me in quite an uncertain state.

At last I realised perfectly that it was you who approached me, and a little later I recognised your shadow.